Transition to Fall

September 1st seems like a dividing line each year between summer and fall — even though, technically, Labor Day can fall anytime in the first week of September and the autumnal equinox is not until September 23rd. September 1st says back to school for me and that means summer dressing is done. But in a city like Washington D.C., it’s still hot in early September. Indeed, September 1st this year was unpleasantly warm and close. So how does one start dressing for fall when the weather is not cooperating?

I have two thoughts: sleeves and closed-toe shoes. Like this:

It was rilla hot today.

White blouses, which you know I love, make me think of school, which I associate with September. I bought this one at Shopbop toward the end of the summer (I presented it to you first!) and it is going to be very useful because of its sharp, defined collar and narrow, short sleeves. Come a little closer and visit the white blouse, as well as the silk tank I am wearing over it.

Silk tank is most interestingly constructed; little origami pleats, seaming, and darts give this top a shape quite distinct from my own; it billows in the back and then appears to be resting, quite comfortably, on my rump

Do you see the seaming and darting? It’s a little difficult because of this busy pattern

And now as a special bonus, a little information about the Directrice’s methodology. I fit this blog into some of my free-time . . . but I don’t have much free time, so photo sessions are capped at 10, 15 minutes tops. We get whatever we can get in that time and then I pick the best pictures to use in posts. (My motto has been, Every post can’t be the best post.) Some of the pictures I like best are a little goofy or funny, ones that my husband takes while testing light and focal length settings, like this series:

In which the Directrice looks like she is thinking weighty and troubling thoughts

Less than 30 seconds later . . . in which the Directrice appears to remember that there is a pint of her favorite ice cream in the freezer

Absolutely a hit out of the park! I love the blouse and clever top very much. We are on the same wavelength. The blouse under compliments the look which is rather 1940’s, which had some fabulous looks for women. Kate

I did know Bloch makes dance shoes, but did not know it was an Australian company. I would have guessed Austrian (I guess because of Adele Bloch-Bauer). Bloch shoes are whisper-light — so they may not have the longest lives, but they are beautiful and comfortable, and more affordable than Repetto!

My sister and I were kitted out in Bloch dance shoes and black leotards for our little ballet lessons here in Australia in the late 1970s. How cute! Ironically it’s hard to find their ‘street’ shoes for sale in Australia now, and the most reliable source for me has been the U.S. (Via Amazon). My oldest pair was made in Sydney, but they seem now to be made in Thailand I think. They are lovely and comfortable. I think the company began here in the 1930s.